Ramona Journal
03/10/06
Is Your Lawn Going Hungry?
Proper feeding ensures a healthy and durable lawn. PHOTO COURTESY OF
ARA
If you're concerned about our global environment, try taking better care of your
own lawn - how you take care of your lawn can make our world a cleaner place.
Thick, healthy grass reduces erosion, filters pollutants, provides natural cooling
and cleaner air. One of the keys to thick, healthy turf is to follow an annual
fertilizing program.
"The greatest benefit of a healthy lawn is a well-developed root system, and a
lawn that has been regularly fed requires less water than a lawn that hasn't been
properly fertilized," says Nick Christians, Ph.D., Iowa State University
horticulturist.
According to Project EverGreen, a national alliance of professionals,
associations, suppliers and related groups created to educate and inform
consumers about how to maintain and manage green spaces, it's important to
follow best management practices when using fertilizers to help the lawn develop
a strong root system, crowd out weeds, and decrease water runoff and soil
erosion.
"Best management practices include carefully following label recommendations
for timing and rate of application, as well as making sure the material is spread
on the lawn and not on sidewalks and driveways," says Christians.
Start an annual fertilizing program by feeding the lawn at the same time as the
first mowing of the year. The day-time temperatures should be between 60 F - 80
F. After the first spring feeding, follow-up every six to eight weeks with the
appropriate type of fertilizer for that time of year.
The optimum time to use fertilizer is during high-growth periods. This means
most homeowners will fertilize four times a year: once in late-spring, again in
early summer and twice during the fall (at the beginning and end of the season).
It's important to use lawn fertilizers the right way by following label instructions.
Label instructions tell homeowners the correct spreader setting to use, whether
grass should be damp or dry when the product is to be applied, and whether they
should wait before mowing their lawn. Products are designed to do the best job
when they are used as directed.
Fertilizer may be applied using a rotary spreader, a drop spreader or through an
underground irrigation system. Drop spreaders are more precise and take a bit
longer to use than rotary spreaders. No matter what type of application is used, it
is important to sweep all particles off of hard spaces and back onto the lawn, to
prevent fertilizer from being washed down storm sewers into our waterways.
"Regular fertilization is so important to lawns. When lawns are thick and healthy,
they prevent erosion and act as natural filters of pollutants," explains Rich
Martinez, chief environmental officer of The Scotts Company and contributor to
Project EverGreen. "It is important to get the right amount of fertilizer in the right
place on your lawn."
A non-profit organization, Project EverGreen's mission is to educate the public
about the value of green spaces and to encourage responsible practices among
those who care for green spaces. For more information about Project EverGreen,
visit www.projectever green.com. Courtesy of ARA Content